Curtis Messer of Antigo passed from his earthly home to his heavenly home on March 21, 2018. He was 89 years old. He was born on December 6, 1928 in White Lake, a son of the late Robert and Ida (Boyd) Messer.
He married Rosella Lewis on March 13, 1948 at Four Corners Assembly of God Church in White Lake. She preceded him in death on May 6, 2007.
Curt attended Wilson Grade School near White Lake. He worked at Yawkey Bissel, as a production foreman at Wynnwood and as a sawmill supervisor at Rusch Bros, Inc. He owned and operated Messer Lumber Co. He was a maintenance supervisor at Aspen Valley Lumber and worked at Rusch Equipment, and most recently at Denjo’s Inc. Curt did electrical work as well.
Curt was a member of Four Corners Assembly of God Church and had served as a deacon there.
Curt loved music. He performed and emceed on one of the first live music shows on WATK with The Grudgeville Sodbusters. He was a member of The Gospel Starliters, The Reunion Band and The Yellow Rose Band. He was also studio manager for Yellow Rose Recording. He played many instruments including rhythm guitar, banjo, steel guitar, fiddle, mandolin and always said he would have played piano but couldn’t fit it under his chin. The highlight of his life was having his family and friends meet in his music room and “play” for hours.
Survivors include a daughter, Lila “Jeannie” Straley of Antigo, three sons, James Messer of Antigo, Joseph (Chris) Messer of Birnamwood and Johnny (Wannetta) Messer of Antigo, 12 grandchildren, 19 great grandchildren, 8 great great grandchildren, a sister Lyda Davis of Antigo, a brother Virgil (Mary) Messer of Lake Havasu, AZ and sisters-in-law, Dixie Lorraine Messer of Antigo and Ethel Messer of White Lake.
In addition to his parents and wife, Curtis was preceded in death by a daughter Geneva “Jenny” Harding, 2 grandchildren, Kate Messer and Eric Jovon Messer, a daughter-in-law Marie Messer, a son-in-law Thomas Straley, a sister Esther Messer, brothers, Arlie, Jesse, Estel, James, Chester, Paul, Clifford, Cletis, and 2 infant brothers.
Funeral services will be held on Monday at 12 noon at Four Corners Assembly of God Church in White Lake. Reverend Marvin Kindle will officiate. Visitation will be Monday from 10:00 AM until the service at the church.
Interment will be in Elton Cemetery.